Geoff Helisma | The Community Facilities for Gulmarrad action group, which has been busy engaging community groups, the wider community and Clarence Valley Council (CVC) in an effort to gain community facilities, is holding a public workshop this Saturday March 24 from 2pm to 3pm. The council’s general manager expressed his appreciation of the group’s efforts when he, senior staff, the mayor and several councillors attended an action group meeting on December 9. “It impressed me how those committee representatives conducted themselves,” Mr Lindsay said, “they were very professional and with a good understanding of the current situation.” The group is holding the workshop on the roadside verge opposite the corner of Major Mitchell Drive and Brooms Head Road and is encouraging the public to attend and share their ideas. The meeting place is symbolic, “as we have no public land or community space” on which to meet, says spokesperson Grace Westera. “Look for the Lions marquee,” Ms Westera said.”After sharing the latest news, residents will be equipped with a map showing all the available council and crown land roads, plus a bottle of water to go out and map a walking route. “Our vision is for a socially and physically connected community, so this event invites residents to not only bring their walking shoes, but also a thermos or esky and stay for a chat. “Residents need to bring their own chairs as Gulmarrad doesn’t even have a park bench … yet. “In case of wet weather, the Gulmarrad school has kindly offered its undercover area.” Meanwhile, on Tuesday March 6, the action group presented a report to a councillor workshop. “It will now need a staff report to go to a meeting of council,” Ms Westera said. “Staff are identifying a funding source for which the mayor has suggested selling other assets to buy a property near the Gulmarrad school for a community centre. “A larger parcel of land is needed for a good sized park. “Lions are prepared to help organise infrastructure and want to get the ball rolling by meeting with residents [and] informing [them] of the type of support they can offer. “While we wait for council, we can keep up the momentum.” In short, this is what the action group presented to the councillors’ workshop: Acquiring community facilities in Gulmarrad supports CVC documents including The Clarence 2027 – Community Strategic Plan. This report reminds CVC of the obligation to provide community facilities for the residents of Gulmarrad and recommends actions to allow and provide for these. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. That CVC rectify the gap and support the provision of community facilities in Gulmarrad. 2. That CVC include Gulmarrad in the Development Control plan. 3. That CVC review the allocation of Section 94 contributions in relation to Gulmarrad. 4. That CVC allocate currently owned land and/or future owned land for parklands/playground. 5. That CVC buy property near the school for a community centre & playground. 6. That CVC facilitate community groups (Lions, Rotary) and/or government grants to provide improvements upon land.